Dispensing device for drinks

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to dispensing devices for drinks or similar dosable liquid foodstuffs, e.g. coffee, milk or soft drinks, comprising manually actuatable selector switches for determining the type and quantity of the foodstuff to be dispensed. The aim of the invention is to simplify the use of one such dispensing device. To this end, said device is provided with an identification device ( 10 ) for identifying different types of containers ( 1 ) for receiving the foodstuff with subsequent consumption from the container, and for emitting an identification signal describing the container. The dispensing device is also provided with a valve device ( 20 ) which, on the basis of the identification signal, connects at least one of a plurality of supply devices ( 30  to  32 ) for supplying a defined foodstuff or a mixture of defined foodstuffs by means of a filling device ( 25 ), and fills the container ( 1 ) with a pre-determined quantity of the defined foodstuff or the mixture thereof. Said arrangement enables the customer to determine the amount of foodstuff to be contained in the container, by the selection of the container, thus simplifying the operation of the dispensing device.

RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a dispensing device for drinks or similardosable liquid foodstuffs, in particular for coffee, milk, soft drinksor soups.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Dispensing devices of the kind described above are known in diverseforms. In particular in self-service restaurants or canteens, thecustomers can collect their drinks or soups from the “automat”themselves, by taking a container from the supply cabinet, placing itunder a filling outlet, and then actuating a button that identifies thedesired drink. However, this procedure involves certain disadvantages,which particularly during especially busy periods such as midday in ahighway rest stop, cause considerable delays and unpleasantness for boththe customer and the person responsible for the apparatus.

For one thing, it often happens that the customer does not begin tothink about which drink he really wants until he is standing in front ofthe dispensing device. Another person who decides more quickly cannot“get around” the hesitant one, because the latter has already placed hiscup or glass under the filling outlet; hence the next customer mustsimply wait until the hesitant customer has finally reached a decision.

Furthermore, if a customer has chosen the wrong kind of container, e.g.an espresso cup, and now pushes the button for “cappuccino”, theinevitable consequence is an “overflow catastrophe”, which—and thissurely hardly requires an explanation—is just as unpleasant for thecustomer as it is for the manager of the rest stop.

The various drinks or soups obtainable from a dispensing device can berepresented to only a limited extent on the switches provided there forchoosing among them. In particular, it is very difficult to representtheir amounts, e.g. a small cup of espresso as opposed to a “mug” ofcoffee. The customer who puts a large cup under the outlet and, afteractivating a button, finds it filled only with an espresso isdisappointed.

Starting from the state of the art as described above, it is the objectof the present invention to provide a dispensing device for drinks orsimilar dosable liquid foodstuffs that improves and facilitatesusability in a simple manner.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided a dispensing devicefor drinks or similar dosable liquid foodstuffs, in particular forcoffee, milk, soft drinks and/or soups, comprising a plurality of supplymeans for supplying a specific foodstuff or a mixture of specificfoodstuffs; a filling mechanism for filling a container with apredetermined amount of a specified foodstuff or mixture of foodstuffs;an identification means comprising at least one sensor for detecting atleast one of shape characteristics and weight of containers that differfrom one another but that are all designed to be filled with a foodstufffor subsequent consumption from the container, and adapted to send outan identification signal that specifies the particular containerdetected; and a valve mechanism adapted such that in response to theidentification signal it puts at least one of the supply means incommunication with the filling mechanism so that the container can befilled with a predetermined amount of the specified foodstuff or mixtureof foodstuffs.

The aim of the invention resides in the fact the choice of the foodstuffis already made when the container is chosen and removed from thestorage cabinet by the customer. Since the container is always filledwith the same foodstuff, no overflow catastrophe can occur, because notonly the nature but also the amount of the foodstuff that is dispensedis determined by the container itself. Furthermore, indecisive customersdo not get in the way of others because they cannot block access to thedispensing device, so impoliteness is eliminated. Because the shapecharacteristics and/or the weight of the container or a combination ofthese two measured values is obtained, no separate identification means(for example, barcode strips or the like) need be provided. Hence themanager of the rest stop can continue to use the containers alreadyavailable, and need not change them.

Examples of shape characteristics that can be used for identifying thecontainer include the maximal height and maximal width of the containeror special configurations, for instance the different shapes of anespresso cup or a coffee mug. Much the same applies to the weightcharacteristics of the container. However, the combination of thecharacteristics “shape” and “weight” is especially advantageous, becauseit ensures greater reliability of the identification.

Finally, it is also very much simpler for the foodstuff to berepresented on the container, by a verbal description and a picture, sothat the customer receives this information from the chosen container.Then when he places a soup dish in the dispensing device, it cannothappen that he receives milky coffee instead.

Preferably the identification means comprises a programmable memory inwhich, for each of the various identification signals, are storedquantity signals and/or choice signals for specification of thecorresponding foodstuff. Such memories can be economically obtained andprogrammed.

It is particularly preferred for the identification means additionallyto comprise a reading means for reading information attached to thecontainer; this reading process can be optical (e.g., by way of abarcode) or electromagnetic (e.g., by way of a transponder or magneticstrip). In this case even identically shaped containers with identicalweights can be used, which are distinguished for the customer by thepictorial information they bear.

Preferably the identification means is designed to send out a startsignal, which frees the valve mechanism for filling the container whenthe container is oriented in a predetermined position with respect tothe filling mechanism. As a result, it can no longer happen that thedispensed drink misses a carelessly positioned container, and thisresult is achieved with no need for complicated adjustment mechanisms toensure that the container is correctly positioned.

Preferably a manually actuatable start switch is provided to send out astart signal that allows a filling process to begin. Thus the customerhas the feeling that he is still “master of the situation”, and is notstartled by a sudden beginning of the dispensing process.

The filling mechanism is preferably so constructed that it cansimultaneously dispense the foodstuff into two (or even more)containers, in which case the identification means is designed to sendout position signals and the filling mechanism is controlled in such away that it can fill two (or more) containers, depending on how many arepresent. Hence a stressed-out father collecting the obligatory cola forhis three children need no longer organize three filling processes, butinstead can complete his task in a single step. The otherwisecomplicated actuation of various switches on the dispensing device isentirely eliminated.

Preferably the identification means comprises a sensor to detect thestate of filling, by way of which it is possible to adjust a maximallevel to which the particular container can be filled with thefoodstuff. In this way it is ensured that any attempt to put anexcessive amount of the desired drink into an unsuitable container isprevented. As a result, the manager of the establishment cannot becheated, and furthermore an overflow catastrophe is ruled out, as is thelikelihood that the drink will slop over during the subsequenttransport.

Preferably a learning means is provided, with a manually actuatablecontroller for dispensing the foodstuff into a container and storing inmemory the amounts dispensed and/or data regarding the state of fillingin dependence on an identification signal. Thus the manager is notconfined to particular containers provided by the manufacturer of thedispensing device, but instead can work with his own supply of dishesand adjust the dispensing device to the dishes with respect to theamounts of foodstuffs to be put into them. Preferably a (whereappropriate, an additional) learning means is provided for inputtingspecification data for a specified foodstuff in dependence on anidentification signal, so that the manager merely places the containerintended for use with a particular foodstuff into the dispensing device,in the same way as a customer does, and selects or programs in thecorresponding foodstuff. The learning means (or an additional learningmeans) is preferably furthermore designed so that various containers canbe presented consecutively to the sensor arrangement, for detection ofthe shape characteristics, and/or to the weight-measuring means, so thatthe shape-characteristic/weight combination associated with a particularcontainer can be specified. Then, for example, an “identification code”can be assigned to each container, which (likewise by way of thelearning means) can be linked to a particular specification regardingfilling amount and kind of drink. Thus when desired, it is possiblequite simply to assign the same contents to different types of containerin the establishment's collection, for instance because it has becomeimpossible to obtain replacements for a particular type.

Another advantage derives from the means of detecting shape/weight inaccordance with the invention, inasmuch as a given set of sensors can beused for various purposes. Firstly, the sensors can determine thecorrect position of the container during filling, secondly they canmeasure the state of filling, and thirdly they can identify the type ofcontainer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following an example of the invention is explained in greaterdetail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of an embodiment of the dispensing devicein accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a part of FIG. 1 with a filling mechanism modified for thesimultaneous filling of several containers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, the same reference numerals are used foridentical parts or parts with identical actions.

FIG. 1 shows a dispensing device in which a container 1 is standing on aweighing scale 12 positioned below a filling mechanism 25 such that afoodstuff flowing out of the filling mechanism 25 will enter thecontainer. The scale 12 is connected to an identification means 10 towhich it signals the measured weight; in addition to the weight signal,the identification means 10 also receives output signals from an opticalidentification device 13, e.g. a camera, a code reader 14 and afilling-state sensor 15. The camera 13 can be used in such a way that inthe identification means 10 the position of the container 1 is specifiedsimultaneously with its shape characteristics, to ensure that thefoodstuff emerging from the filling mechanism 25 actually enters thecontainer 1. When the identification means 10 determines, on the basisof the sensor signals it receives, which container is standing under thefilling mechanism 25 and whether the container is also correctlypositioned, it generates a release signal for valve mechanism 20, whichby way of individual valves 21, 22 and 23 with supply means 30, 31 and32 are connected upstream and downstream to the filling mechanism 25.This release signal is blocked, however, until the customer actuates astart switch 17. It is only after this start signal has been given thatthe container 1 is filled by the filling mechanism 25.

Furthermore, a memory 11 is connected to the identification means 10 insuch a way that in response to the identification signals, which arederived from the signals sent out by the sensors 12 to 14, a selectionof the foodstuff associated with the container that has been presentedis made, and the amount of foodstuff is specified. If, for example, thesupply means 30 delivers espresso and the supply means 31 delivers milk,depending on which particular container 1 has been chosen either onlyespresso will be dispensed or a mixture of espresso and milk, the latterfor a cappuccino or a latte macchiato. This decision is made in theidentification means 10 on the basis of the data stored in the memory11.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1 a learning means 35with a keyboard 37 is also provided, which in addition comprises aswitch 30 (which of course can also be disposed in the keyboard 37). Bymeans of this learning means 35 the manager can place a container 1,which has been specially selected by the manager but otherwise has notbeen characterized in any particular way, into the dispensing device asa customer would, but assign to the identification signals generated inthe identification means 10 certain kinds of information, in particularthe nature and amount of the foodstuff that is to be dispensed. Duringthis procedure he can use the switch 36 to control the valve mechanism20 so that the amount of foodstuff he has specified is put into thecontainer. He can also prespecify a maximal amount, which is sensed bythe filling-state sensor 15.

In FIG. 2 is shown a dispensing device with a filling mechanism 25constructed for simultaneous dispensing into two (identical) containers1 and 1′. The previously described sensors in FIG. 1, in particular theoptical detection device 13, are also provided here, so that in responseto an corresponding identification signal the identification means 10actuates both outlets of the filling mechanism 25 when two containershave been placed below them, and actuates only one outlet (the correctone, of course) when only a single container is positioned under thefilling mechanism 25.

It will be evident from the above that the invention can also beemployed when a coffee machine provided with the necessary technicaldevices is operated in the manner in accordance with the invention. Theinvention thus also comprises a particular method for the operation of adispensing device.

List of reference numerals

-   1 Container-   10 Identification means-   11 Memory-   12 Weighing scale-   13 Camera-   14 Code reader-   15 Filling-state sensor-   17 Start switch-   20 Valve mechanism-   21 1st valve-   22 2nd valve-   23 3rd valve-   25 Filling mechanism-   30 Supply means-   31 Supply means-   32 Supply means-   35 Learning means-   36 Switch-   37 Keyboard

1. Dispensing device for drinks or similar dosable liquid foodstuffs,comprising: a plurality of supply means for supplying a specificfoodstuff or a mixture of specific foodstuffs; a filling mechanism forfilling a container with a predetermined amount of a specified foodstuffor mixture of foodstuffs; an identification means comprising at leastone sensor for detecting at least one of shape characteristics andweight of containers that differ from one another but that are alldesigned to be filled with a foodstuff for subsequent consumption fromthe container, and adapted to send out an identification signal thatspecifies the particular container detected: and a valve mechanismadapted such that in response to the identification signal it puts atleast one of the supply means in communication with the fillingmechanism so that the container can be filled with a predeterminedamount of the specified foodstuff or mixture of foodstuffs. 2.Dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the identification meanscomprises a programmable memory in which at least one of amount signalsand choice signals corresponding to the various identification signalsare stored, for specifying the foodstuffs.
 3. Dispensing deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the identification means comprises readingmeans to read information attached to the container.
 4. Dispensingdevice according to claim 1, wherein the identification means is adaptedto send out a start signal, which releases the valve mechanism forfilling the container when the container is in a predetermined positionwith respect to the filling mechanism.
 5. Dispensing device according toclaim 1, wherein a manually actuatable start switch is provided to sendout a start signal that causes a filling process to begin.
 6. Dispensingdevice according to claim 1, wherein the filling mechanism is adapted tofill simultaneously two containers with the specified foodstuff, theidentification means is designed to send out position signals, and thefilling mechanism is controlled so that either one or two containers arefilled, depending on how many are present.
 7. Dispensing deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the identification means comprises afilling-state sensor by means of which it is possibly to specify amaximal filling state to which the container is to be filled with thefoodstuff.
 8. Dispensing device according to claim 2, wherein a learningmeans with a manually actuatable dispensing control is provided fordispensing a foodstuff into a container and for storing in the memorydata relating to at least one of the amount and state of filling independence on an identification signal.
 9. Dispensing device accordingto claim 1, wherein a learning means for entering is provided by meansof which specification data for a specific foodstuff in dependence on anidentification signal can be entered into the device.